Health Information Center

Month: February 2017

In Australia, the new diet craze is taking hold with more or less 10,000 individuals are trying the plan. But, this has caused unexpected pregnancy and hair loss.

People all over Australia could find themselves feeling nauseous and losing their hair. But some are thankful for getting pregnant.

There are around 10,000 Australians who have participated in the Cambridge Weight Plan. The new diet craze includes a series of steps, where dieters begin by restricting intake to 440 calories per day.

The Cambridge diet or the New Australian diet is a weight loss plan, in which 415 to 1500 calories consumed daily, primarily from commercial goods sold as part of the diet regimen. These goods are manufactured in the United Kingdom and include meal replacement bars, smoothies, shakes and soups.

In 2010, the diet was rebranded as Cambridge Weight Plan and id available in over 35 countries worldwide. It is not associated with the U.S version of the diet, the Cambridge Original and the Cambridge Food for Life.

The Cambridge diet is a very low calorie diet plan (VCLD) and can result in speedy weight loss. If manage properly, participants can sustain weight loss, even if they gradually increase their calorie intake. This low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet forces the body to burn its stored fat instead of carbohydrates as energy. Studies have shown that this is better and a more effective way of slimming down than reducing the calories.

The History

Dr. Alan Howard developed the Cambridge in 1970 at the Cambridge University, England. In 1980, it was launched in the United States as a commercial product. The Cambridge Diet was very famous in America, but became the subject of several controversies. After potential health concerns were raised, it later came under scrutiny from health authorities and regulators.

In 1984 the diet was launched in the United Kingdom, and two years after, it was reformulated to follow the recommendations made by COMA or Commission on Medical Aspects.

Although people lose weight very quickly at first, the diet is suggested in 12 weeks with a week of solid food. Dry mouth, bad breath, nausea, tiredness, constipation and insomnia are some of the adverse side effects of this diet according to the British Dietetic Association. They added that any individual who eats lesser than 600 calories daily should be supervised.

As VLCD, it combines 415 calories per day with vitamins, fatty acids and minerals to minimize the loss of nutrients, which is typical of low calorie restriction. Participants can drink as much water as they want.

The Cambridge Diet formula is designed to replicate the weight loss elements of starvation, while providing sufficient protein to keep lean tissue, the right carbohydrate level to promote a mild ketosis and do away with a sense of hunger, and the right levels of trace elements, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins to maintain well-being.

The meals in Cambridge Diet are intended to integrate all the essential food groups to satisfy the nutritional needs of the body, to allow an individual to stop food cravings and overeating. At first, you will only consume meal replacement supplements in the form of soups, shakes and porridges. Slowly, solid foods are included in the meal plan.

Cambridge Diet has been hailed as one of the most effective ways to rapidly lose weight. It works in several steps of the diet. If a person is heavily overweight, with a BMI of more than 25, this might be helpful to you.
The weekly cost of the diet may reach £44, which according to some is much cheaper than Weight Watchers.

What causes the rapid weight loss?

When a dieter begins stage one, his body goes into ketosis. Ketosis is a condition where the body switches from being a carbohydrate-burning into a fat burning organism. In this metabolic state, most of the energy supply of the body comes from ketone bodies in the blood. This is in contrast to glycolysis in which the blood glucose provides most of the energy supply.

The stored fats become the major energy source and the dieter then loses weight.

It may sound ominous to you that you will be replacing a balanced meal with bars and shakes, the substitutions are packed with all the vitamins you need to stay healthy. These vitamins are enough to boost the immune system, strong teeth and nails, levels of energy. It can be a big challenge for anyone, moving from a simple diet with regular food to extreme diet food.

The Cambridge Diet pushes anyone’s body into a state of ketosis, but some experts are not convinced that it is such a healthy state of the human body to be in.

What some experts and consultants who love the Cambridge Diet won’t tell you is that bad breath is a huge challenge. Also, you have to get yourself ready to say goodbye to caffeine.

Also, it was reported that dizziness is one of the most common side effects. But, if you consider it for a long-term weight management, then you can opt for a lighter plan with a daily calorie allowance of 1,500. You can simply combine the specially-formulated porridge, drinks, bars, and soups with other regular food.

Some health experts say that although the Cambridge Diet is pretty transparent about some health complications, they have some suspicions about the dramatic weight loss.

Although it is reported that Cambridge Diet is greatly tolerated, but some dieters do experience side effects. There are reported cases of gallstones. But the promoters of this diet are quick to respond that it is typical for overweight or obese to have gallstones. Another common condition is gout. Many of those who tried the diet experienced this condition because as they lose weight, their uric acid levels increase and lead to gout risks.

The National Health Services or NHS says that the diet is not sustainable in the long run. It may help with the initial weight loss, but a huge challenge to maintain. Lots of obese people are discouraged after waiting so long before the weight loss begins.

Most people wish to slim down without control diet and exercise. But weight loss is everything that requires effort. You cannot trim your belly fat by eating chocolate and chips or eat every snack handed around.

Unlike most diets, exercise is prohibited while on step one of Cambridge Diet. This is because the body is taking its time to adapt to the reduced calorie consumption. You can discuss exercise with your consultant during your appointment, especially if you have an inactive lifestyle.

What Is Your First Week Like?

First week is quite hard, and everyone has different side effects. It is expected that you will crave a lot, but once the first week is over, it will be easier and you might around 10 pounds and that is an excellent motivation to keep going. With other diet programs, it may take you four weeks or a month to lose 10 pounds.

Some would motivate themselves by buying dresses one size too small or chewing gum while baking, to prevent them from eating the leftovers.

One of the hardest aspects of the new Australian diet craze is eating out because all meals are replaced with diet and shake products.

But things get better, especially during step two when you can begin to include some food into the diet. You can use a small plate so that you won’t feel the need to fill up your plate.

Although it really helps people who struggle with obesity, it requires a lot of willpower. You will need the support of the people around you. Some may not understand you, especially those who have never had any weight issue.

The first few months will be the most difficult. Eventually, you will feel to be in a much stronger place.

This is serious stuff

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